Abstract

MANAGEMENT OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) BY UNANI FORMULATION

*Minhaj Ahmad

ABSTRACT

Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS) is very common gastro intestinal tract disorder. 20 percent visiting patients of gastro intestinal tract disorder suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and this problem causes a lot of mental agony to the patients as well as the physicians who face a challenge treating this disease. The exact etiology of this disease is still unknown but most common factors are psychological disturbances like anxiety and depression. The patients present with variable abdominal symptoms, but constipation, recurrent diarrhea, pain and distention of abdomen are predominant clinical features. The diagnosis is confirmed on the basis of clinical observation, otherwise most of the investigations are found in normal limit. No specific treatment is presently available in any system of Medicine. Unani physicians have recommended different single and compound drugs for the treatment of various functional and organic gastro intestinal tract disorders. The powder of some Unani drugs: viz. bael (Aegle marmelos), Cumin (Cuminu cyminium), Aamla (Emblica Oficinalis) are reported in Unani medicine in the treatment of chronic diarrhea and dysentery. Keeping in view, an open trial was conducted in 30 patients. The compound formulation in the form of powder was administered in 15 patients of IBS, in the dose of 3 gram twice a day for 6 weeks. The placebo was also given to 15 patients for the same period and the same dose. The patients were kept under observation. The weekly clinical improvement was recorded. After 6 weeks of therapy, significant clinical improvement was observed. Re-occurrence of disease was reported in 26% patients only.

Keywords: Gastro colic disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Zaheer Kazib, Zalaqul Ama.